Motor-controller.



J. T. JANETTE. MOTOR CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 10, 1909.

1,018,765. Patented Feb. 27, 191 2.

UNITED strains PATENT oFrIo Jenn 'r. sums. or mwaum,

. II'G. 00., 0! IILWAUKII, A CORPORATION WISCONSIN.

io'ron-comaonm a 1,018,765. mmmmmu rm. Patented Feb.,27,1a12 Applicationam July 10, mos. sum 10.50%,914. To alhvlwm it may concern: the spindle2 in frontfof member 4 Be it known that I, JOHN T. JANETTE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Milwaukee in the county of Milwaukee andState of isconsin, have invented new and useful Im rovements inMotor-Controllers, of which 51c following is a full, clear, concise, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming a art of this specification.

y invention relates to improvements in controllers for electric motors.

It is the object of my invention to provide a simple and efficientdevice which may be set to cause the motor to operate for anypredetermined number of revolutions and then automatically bring themotor to rest. Such a device is particularly appropriate for controllingthe steering apparatus of a ship. It should be understood, however, thatmy invention is not limited in its aplication, but on the contrary, maybe used in various diiierent relations.

For the purpose of more fully disclosing the characteristic features ofmy invention I shall describe the embodiment thereo -illustrated in theaccompanying drawing.

It should, of course, be understood'that my invention is not limited tothe particular construction illustrated, but is susceptible of variousmodifications.

In the accompanying drawing, is a front elevation of the device. urealso shows diagrammatically one circuit arrangement for the device. Fig.2'-is a side elevation of a portion of the device illustrated in Fig. 1,the supporting panel being shown in section.

The several parts of the device illustrated are mounted on a supportingpanel 1 which, in practice, may be formed of any suitable insulatingmaterial. Secured to the panel 1 and pro1ecting forwardly therefrom is aspindle-or stud 2. Loosely mounted onthe stud 2 is a substantiallycircular member 4 preferably formed of suitable insulating material. Theinsulating member 4 carries contact segments 5, 6, 7 and 8 securedthereto in any suitable manner. These segments are preferably curvedsubstantially concentric with the member 4 and arranged in airs. Thelower portion of the member 4 1s preferably cut away for the purposehereinafter set forth. Also loosely mounted on Figure 1 This figa dis 9,rovided, on its outer ri he with ratchet teeth 10. For the pur he rzinafter set forth, I desire to have t e ratchet disk 9 and the member 4move in unison, and I, therefore, preferabl secure the same together. Asillustrated, the disk 9 and the member 4 are locked together by means ofa pin 11 which .passes through a portion of each. The pin 11 is arrangedto project forwardly from the disk 9 for the urpose hereinafter setforth. The stud 2 9. supports an arm 12, rovided wit a suitableoperating hand e 13. The arm 12 carries a contact brush 15 which ismaintained out of contact therewith by means of an insulating bushing16.

In practice, the contact brush 15 may be of any preferred type andconnected to the arm 12 many preferred manner. The arm 12 is adapted tobe moved in either direction to cause the brush 15 to sweep over andelectrically connect either pair of contact segments carried by themember 4. In practice, I desire to have the arm 12 normally maintainedin such a position that the brush 15 will lie between and out of contactwith the two pairs of contact segments carried by the member 4. Foraccomplishing this result, and for a further purpose to be hereinafterset forth, I arrange on the stud 2 or the hub of the arm 12 a coil sring 17, the ends of which are adapted: to bear against 0 posite sidesof the pm 11 carried by the disk 9 and a pin 18 carried by the arm.12.This arrangement of thespring 17 obviously tends to maintain the arm 12and the member 4 in such a relation that the contacts thereof will beout of engagement. Further, the s ring 17 will tend to cause the member4 to ollow in the same direction as the arm wrsooxsm, assleuon "be .m

so ivotally 12 whenever the latter is moved in either 7 direction.Pivotally mounted on a stud 20, arranged directly beneath the stud 2, isa double arm pawl 21, carrying at the end of its arms lugs 22 and 23adapted to be alternately thrown into engagement with the ratchet teethof the disk 9 as the pawl is rocked upon its ranged to form the armatureof electromagnets 25 and 26, which, when alternately energized anddeenergized, will rock said pawl upon its pivot. In other words, thepawl and ratchet wheel form an. escapement pivot. The pawl 21 is artothe right from the position illustrated in Fig. 1, it will be seen thatthe contact brush will be moved into engagement with the contactsegments 7 and 8 carried by the member 4, and that the spring 17 will beso tensioned as to cause the ratchet disk 9 and the member 4 to turnabout the spindle 2 in the same direction as the arm 12. Such movementof the ratchet disk and the member 4, however, is prevented by means ofthe pawl 21, the projection 22 of which is ,system of controlillustrated, at thesame time setting forth the circuit connections Withthe switches 33 and 34 in 1n engagement with one tooth of the ratchetdisk 9. However, if the pawl 21 be rocked on its pivot, the ratchet disk9 and the member 4 will be permitted to move step by step in the samedirection as the arm 12. If the pawl 21 be rocked a suflicient number oftimes, the ratchet disk 9and the member 4 will eventually move into sucha position that the contact segments 7 and 8 will move out of engagementwith the brush 15 of the arm 12. WVhen the ratchet disk has moved tothis point, the tension on the spring 17 will be relieved, therebycausing the member 4 and the arm 12 to remain in the same relativeposition as illustrated in Fig. 1. Movement of the arm 12 to the leftfrom any position would cause the brush 15 to engage and bridge contactsegments 5 and 6. and would so tension the spring 17 as to tend torevolve the ratchet disk and the member 4 in the opposite direction tothat previously described and in the same direction as the arm 12. Thusby rocking the pawl as before set forth, the member 4 would be permittedto follow the arm 12 until the contact segments, carried thereby,disengaged the contact brush 15.

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the device described is adapted to control theoperation of an electric motor 30 arranged to operate a ship rudder 31.In practice, the motor may be operatively connected to the rudder 31 inany preferred manner, but, for the purpose of illustration, I have shownthe motor as connected to the rudder by suitable gearing 32. The motor30 is diagrammatically illustrated as provided with an armature A and ashunt field winding F. It should, of course, be understood that theparticular form of motor is immaterial to my invention. Also, forthepurpose of illustration, I have shown a pair of switches 33 and 34for controlling the continuity of "the motor circuit and the directionof operation thereof, it, of course, being understood that any preferredmeans may be employed for this purpose. Each of the switches 33 and 34is provided with a'suitable operating winding, the circuits of which, aswill be hereinafter explained, are controlled by the contact arm 12 andthe contact member 4. For controlling the electromagnets 25 and 26 ofthe escapement mechanism, I have shown a commutator 36 which, inpractice, may be of any preferred type. As illustrated, the commutator36 merely comprises a revoluble switch member 37 adapted to alternatelyengage and disengage contacts 38 and 39. In practice, the switch member37 may be operated directly from the motor or from the driven mechanism,but, in the present instance, it is operated by the gearing connectingthe motor to the driven mechanism.

I shall now describe the operation of the therefor. the positionillustrated, no current will flow to the motor from the main lines 40and 41.

To close the motor circuit, it is necessary to move the arm 12 to causethe brush 15, carried thereby, to engage one pair of the contactsegments carried by the member 4. The direction in which the arm 12 ismoved will determine which of the switches 33 or 34 .will be operated,thus determining the direction of operation of the motor. instance, ifthe arm 12 be moved to the right, the contact brush 15, carried thereby,will be moved into engagement with contact segments 7 and 8 of themember '4. sults in closing a circuit from main line 40 For This rebyconductor 42, through the operating :winding of the switch 34, byconductor 43 and brush 44 to contact segment 8, thence through brush 15to contact segment 7 and brush 45, by conductors 46 and 47 to theopposite side of the main line.

in the energization of the switch 34 which thereupon closes, therebyclosingthe motor circuit. The field winding of the motor is permanentlyconnected across the main lines and its circuit may be traced from mainline 40 by conductor 48 through said winding, by conductors 49 and 50 tomain line 41. Upon closure of the switch 34 the circuit of the motorarmature may be traced from main line 40 through the upper contact ofswitch 34, by conductor 51,

through the motor armature, by conductors 52 and 53,'through the lowercontact of the switch 34 and thence to the main line 4]. The motor isthus set in operation, thereby setting in operation the gearing 32 whichimparts movement to the rudder 31 and also to the switch 37 of thecommutator 36.

The direction in which the rudder will move, of course, will depend uponthe direction of operation of the motor. For the This results the brush15 carried by the arm 12.

purposevof illustration, we will assume that when the motor is operatedin the directions set forth, the rudder will be movedto the right. Thiscauses the commutator switch 37 to move to the left. The commutator,when operated, is arranged to alternately short-circuit the magnets 25and 26 of the escapement mechanism, which magnets are permanentlyconnected across the main lines. The circuit for said magnets may betraced from main line 40 by conductor 55, through the magnet 26, byconductor 56, through the magnet 25 and by conductors 57 and 47 to mainline 41'. With the pawl 21 in the position illustrated, when the arm 12is moved to the right, said pawl will hold the contact member 4stationary against the tension of the spring 17 However, as thecommutator switch moves to the left, it first engages contact 39,thereby establishing a low resistance shunt around the magnet 25, which,may be traced from one terminal of magnet 26 by conductor 58 through thecommutator switch 37 and contact 39 by conductor 59 to main line 41.Thereupon the magnet 25 is denergized, thus permitting the magnet 26 toattract the pawl 21 without opposition. This rocks the pawl upon itspivot, thereby disengaging the projection 22 from the teeth of theratchet disk and throwing the projection 23 into the path thereof. This,however, permits the member 4 to move one step under the tension of thespring 17 Of course, as soon as the commutator switch leaves contact 39,the magnet 25 will again be energized, but will not have suflicientpower to withdraw the pawl from the magnet 26 until said magnet 26 issh0rtcircuited. Continued movement of the commutator switch 37 willcause the same-to engage contact 38, thereby establishing ashort-circuit around the magnet 26, which may be traced from main line40 by conductor 60, through the commutator switch, by conductors 58 and56, through the magnet 25 and conductors '57 and 47 to main line 41 Thisresults in the deenergization of the magnet 26, whereupon the pawl willbe again drawn into the position illustrated, by the magnet 25, therebyallowing the contact member 4 to be moved another step under the tensionof the spring 17. This operation will be repeated until the contactmember 4 moves a sufiicient distance to cause the contact segments 7 and8, carried thereby, to disengage When the circuit of the switch 34 willbe opened, thereby causin said switch to open the motor circuit. his, ofcourse, stops the motor, the rudder and the commutator switch. I

From the foregoing it will be seen that by this occurs,

' varying the speed ratio between the commutator switch 37 and themotor, I am enabled to insure any predetermined number of revowill makefive revolutions.

lutions of the motor during. one step of the contact member 4. Forexample, let it be assumed that the speed ratio between the motor andthe commutator switch 37 is five to one. Hence, during one completerevolution of the commutator switch, the motor It has already beenexplained that during one revolution of the commutator switch, thecontact member 4 of the controlling device moves two steps.Consequently, the motor would make two and one-half revolutions duringeach step of the contact member 4. Consequently, by varying the numberof steps necessary for the contact member 4 to make before disengagingthe contacts of the arm 12, I am enabled to cause the motor to operatefor any predetermined number of revolutions and then automatically bringthe same to-rest.

The number of steps in the operation of the member 4 necessary prior tostopping the motor may thus be regulated by means of the arm 12. Forinstance, if the arm 12, when moved to the right, is placed in the dotand dash position shown, then the motor would be maintained in operationuntil it had moved the rudder 31 to the right hand dot and dash positionthereof. On the other hand, if the arm 12 be moved just half of thisdistance, the motor would be automatical-1y stopped as soon as therudder had reached a position midway between the'position illustratedand the dot and dash position. It is therefore, obvious that by movingthe arm 12 into different positions, I am enabled to bring the rudderinto practically any desired position. Of course, in practice, I wouldprovide means for maintaining the arm 12 in different positions so thatthe same could be released as soon as it had been set, but I have deemedit unnecessary to show such means in the drawing. Movement of the arm 12in the opposite direction results in the ener ization of the switch 33.The circuit of t is switch may bef'ftraced from main line 40 byconductors and 66, through the winding of switch 33, by conductor 67 tocontact segment6, by brush 15 of the arm 12, to contact segment 5, andthence by conductors 68 and 47 to main line 40. This energizes theswitch 33 which comand commutator 1n the opposite direction until thecontact member 4 has been moved in the manner previously set forth todisengage. the contact arm 12, whereupon the motor circuit is opened.The operation of the escapement mechanism during th1s operation of themotor 18 the same as previously set forth. It will now be apparent thatthe direction of operation of the arm 12 deter ing movable atwill andthe other tending to automatically operate upon operation of the former,and means restrlcting the operation of said automatic member to a stepby step movement, the controlling part of said means being stationarilymounted.

2. In a controlling device in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will, means for moving the other memberautomatically, and automatic means restricting the operation of saidautomatically operated member to a step by step movement, said meansincluding stationarily mounted actuating means.

3. In a controlling device in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will, means for automat cally :moving theother member, speed restricting means for said automatically operatedmember, and stationarily mounted electro responsive means controllingsaid speed restricting means.

4. In a controlling device, in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will and the other tendin to automaticallyoperate upon movement oi? the former, and a ratchet and pawl escapementdevice for-restricting the operation of said automatic member.

5. In a controlling device, in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will and the other tending toautomatically operate upon movement of the former, cooperating parts forrestricting the operation of said automatic member to a step by stepmovement, and stationarily mounted electro responsive means foroperat-ing one of said cooperating parts.

6. In a controlling device, in combination, two pooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will, and the other tending toautomatically operate upon operation of the former, and two cooperatingparts one movable with said automatic member, and the other eing mountedon a stationary support, it e latter of said cooperating parts beingmovable to govern the speed of said 5 automatic member.

7. In a controlling device, in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will and the other tending to operateautomatically upon operation of the former, a movable controlling membermounted upon a stationary part of the device and adapted to cooperatewith means movable with said automatic member to restrict operation ofsaid automatic member to a step by step movement.

8. Iniacontrolling device, in combination,

.two cooperating contact members, one being movable at will and theother tending to operate automatically upon operation of the former, amovable controlling member mounted upon a stationary part of the deviceand adapted to cooperate with means movable with said automatic memberto restrict operation of said automatic member to a step bystepmovement", and electro responsive means for actuating saidcontrolling member.

9. In a controller for electric motors, in combination, two cooperatingcontact members, one being movable at will and the-other tending tooperate automatically upon movement of the iormer, and means controlledby stationary electro responsive means for restricting the operationof-said to insure movement of said automatic member in synchronism withthe motor.

11. In a controller for electric motors, in combination, two cooperatingcontact members, one being movable at will and the other tending toautomatically operate upon movement of the former, a ratchet and pawl.mechanism for restricting the operation of said automatic member to astep by step movement, and automatic means operating said pawl to insuremovement of said automatic member in synchronism with the motor.

12. In a controlling device, in combination, two cooperating contactmembers, one being movable at will in opposite directions and the othertending to automatically'operate upon operation of the former and in acorresponding direction, and a ratchet and pawl device forrestrictingthe operation of said automatic member to a step by stepmovement regardless of the direction in which it moves.

13. In a controlling device for electric motors, in combination, twocooperating contact members, one movable at will in opposite direct-ionsand the other tending to automatically operate upon movement of theformer and in a corresponding direction, and an escapement mechanism forrestricting the operation of said automatic member to a step by stepmovement in both directions, said escapement mechanism havingstationarily mounted electro responsive said automatic member ins'ynchronis I with the motor,

14. In a controller for' electric motors, in combination, a co tactmember movable at will, a cooperatin contact member arranged to moveautomatically upon movement of said first mentioned member, anescapemcnt wheel movable in unison with said automatically operatedmember, a pawl cooperating with said escapement wheel, and means foroperating said pawl to retard said automatically operated member tocause the same to move in synchronism with the motor.

15. In a controller for electric motors, in combination, a contactmember movable at will, a cooperating contact member arranged to moveautomatically upon movement of said first mentioned member, anescapement wheel movable in unison with said automatically operatedmember, a pawl cooperating with said escapement wheel to check theoperation of said automatic member, electromagnets for operating saidpawl" to permit said automatic member to move in synchronism with themotor, and automatic means controlling said electromagnets.

16. In a controller for electric motors, in combination, two cooperatingcontact members, one of said members being movable at will and the otherof said members being automatically movable, an escapement mechanism forretarding the operation of said automatic member, electromagnets foroperating said escapement mechanism, both of said magnets being normallyenergized,

and means movable in synchronism with the motor to alternately shortcircuit said magnets.

17 In a controller for electric motors,in combination, a switch memberand a cooperating contact member revoluble about a common axis, two setsof contacts carried by said cont-act member, said switch-memberbeingmovable at will in opposite directions to engage said sets of contacts,a spring tending to move said contact member in the same direction assaid switch member to disengage its contacts from said switch member, anescapement wheel and pawl for retarding the operation of said contactmember, electromagnets for operating said pawl, and means movable insynchronism with the motorfor controlling said magnets.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two-wit nesses.

JOHN T. JANETTE.

Witnesses:

FRANK 'H. HUBBARD, J. W. F ITZGERALD.

